Will the robo TV host take off?

The Future. More and more reality TV competition shows are rejecting the idea of a traditional host in favor of digital prompts to guide contestants. Because these shows are among the cheapest TV to produce, executives may be cutting corners in the face of a possible recession — or smaller paychecks may be driving away the cultural icons the format once attracted.

Ugh, not again
AI is now stealing hosting gigs from humans, too, reports Vice.

• On Netflix’s The Circle, contestants receive prompts and challenges from a big-screen TV in their living quarters.
• On Pressure Cooker (also Netflix), contestants receive challenge instructions and game results from a kitchen ticket printer.
• On YouTube’s dating show The Button, a large talking button cracks jokes and prompts contestants to ask each other questions until one of them presses it — ending the date and sending in another option.

Are you cringing yet? We are.

Back to reality
Digital prompts can’t replace the warmth of human TV hosts. In fact, they might just accentuate the isolation of the contestants.While a robot may be cheaper to employ than Laura Whitmore or Maya Jama, it’ll still lack star power… and a pulse.

Back to reality
Digital prompts can’t replace the warmth of human TV hosts. In fact, they might just accentuate the isolation of the contestants.

While a robot may be cheaper to employ than Laura Whitmore or Maya Jama, it’ll still lack star power… and a pulse.